Chapter 16

It was Thursday evening and Anna was sitting at the table over at the Brownstone with Bobbie and Felicia. They were there to start planning Robert and Anna's wedding. Since they were just waiting for Tiffany to get there before they got started the three friends were just sitting and talking.

"So Anna if you are having appointments with Dr. Collins, what are you not telling me?" Bobbie asked with a little grin. She was fairly sure Felicia would know or have questions as well since she works with Anna. They hadn't confirmed anything the other day at the hospital.

Of course, this would be brought up Anna thought and smiled over at her, "We haven't told many people yet and I want to wait a little longer before telling everyone but Robert and I are expecting."

There were a few squeals of happiness even if Felicia already knew it was fun seeing Bobbie's reaction to Anna's news. "This is wonderful. Is that why this wedding is happening so quickly?"

"Partly, and partly because we found out something about our first marriage that changes a lot. We lost ten years together and now that we know that, we don't see any point in waiting to correct that wrong," Anna told them.

"That sounds like something terrible happened," Felicia could only imagine what it could be. Frisco has told her some of the things he has to deal with now as a WSB agent and she got the feeling this was something along those lines. This must be what's behind the tension between them and Sean.

"There's nothing that we can do about it now. All we can do is move forward knowing the past will not come between us. That what did, never should have. I love that man so completely and I always have." Anna wiped a tear from her cheek. Then she grinned, "I get to marry that wonderful man again very soon. That's what's important."

"Yes, it is," Tiffany said as she touched Anna's shoulder having just arrived. "Sorry, I'm late."

"Don't worry about it, Anna was just filling me in on some things that I get the feeling you already know about," Bobbie said smiling at her.

"I do know a few things about the bride and groom," Tiffany said with a smile as she took a seat. "Well, let's get this started. First off, who is going to be in the wedding party?"

"I'm not sure," Anna admitted, "Robin will be the flower girl. I haven't asked anyone yet I don't know who Robert has spoken to."

"Has he asked Sean?" Bobbie asked, turning to Tiffany.

"Oh, ah. He hasn't mentioned it if he has," Tiffany told her, suddenly feeling on the spot.

"We did only decide yesterday that we are getting married in fifteen days," Anna said grinning, not wanting to talk about Sean. "I want it to be a small wedding. I think one person standing up with each of us and everyone else will be our guests. That can wait a little bit longer, though. Today I want to talk about where we can have it on such short notice."

"Yes, that is very important," Felicia agreed. "How many people do you think will be there?"

"Oh, I'd say more than twenty," she paused to think about it a little more, "less than thirty-five," Anna quickly estimated.

They spent the next two hours talking and planning. Bobbie had insisted that the ceremony will be in the main living room here at the Brownstone. They had all agreed that it would be the perfect size since Anna really didn't think there would be more than thirty people in attendance. The backyard was the perfect size for the reception as well. They were hoping for a beautiful evening so everyone could dance under the stars.

When they thought they had figured out everything they could for the evening Anna got up to head home. Tiffany got up as well and followed her through to the living room. When Anna was close to the door she called "Anna," there was a softness in her voice that made Anna turn almost instantly. "He regrets what happened."

Anna sighed, "I know he does, so does Robert." Anna held up her hand, Tiff didn't have to convince her of anything. "You know what the problem is? The man that destroyed mine and Robert's marriage happens to look like my business partner and that makes it very hard to not want to take my anger out on him. Now imagine that, but it's Robert."

Tiffany slowly nodded as she thought about it. "Robert's keeping his distance because that's what he thinks is best. He did tell me he doesn't know what to say to Sean."

"He's so angry about what happened," Anna sighed. "Did you hear what happened on the docks?" Anna asked as she looked around to make sure they were still alone.

"No!" Tiffany said, instantly intrigued.

"Don't worry it doesn't involve Sean. There was an incident, Duke decided he would handle his beef with Robert the old fashion way," Anna paused. "Hire a couple of guys to help you jump the man. That was his plan but it didn't work, Robert broke three of Duke's ribs. He broke Sean's nose. He is so angry about what was done to us. Robert needs time, I just don't know how much time he needs."

"This can't be easy on you either."

"It's not but that's why I am thinking about the good things, looking forward to what I get to have now and letting the other things wait."

"Be happy about what's coming, I get it. I know this will all work out."

"I know it will," Anna sighed, "eventually." Tiff gave Anna a hug before she left. As she walked back to her car Anna wondered how long it will take Robert to get past this anger. It's not affecting their everyday life but she knows they will both need to address how they feel about Sean at some point. They are happy and they should be and in time she knows Sean will be a welcome friend but she also knows it could take Robert a long time to be ready to let that happen.

…

Monday morning Felicia took a different route to the office. She wanted to speak to someone so she went by Sean's shipping office first. He looked up when there was a knock at the door. "Morning, Princess," Sean said, seeing her standing in his doorway.

"Good morning, Sean. I brought you a coffee." Felicia walked over to his desk and put down two coffee cups from Kelly's.

"Well, thank you. To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"I think we need to talk." She took a seat then picked up her coffee. "Whatever is going on you have to fix it," she stated matter of factly then took a sip of her coffee.

"What are we talking about here?"

"Sean, you have been working here long enough. Whatever happened in the past is in the past. You need to fix whatever is going on now."

Sean let out a sigh, "I don't think it's that easy. This wasn't just some little disagreement between partners."

"You did something and it broke up Anna and Robert's marriage. I've already figured that much out. I don't want to know what happened, I swear I don't. What I want is for you to talk to them, talk to Robert."

"He doesn't want to talk to me."

"No, maybe not, but you should want to talk to him. You should want to fix this so you can be there for your friend when he gets married."

"They don't want me there."

Felicia couldn't believe he was actually saying that. "Sean, you know that isn't true. Of course, they do."

"You don't know that. Felicia, you're right I was a part of what led to their divorce. I also had let them believe something that wasn't true for ten years. They may never forgive me for what I did to them but at least those lies can't come between them now."

"So you told them the truth? You wanted them to know the truth."

"I had to."

Felicia nodded then stood up. She could see that Sean truly believed he had done the right thing. "Yes, I think you did. Not just for them either." She walked around his desk, leaned down and gave him a hug. "You're a good man. I know you can make this better, please try."

"I'll think about it. I might wait a little longer. Robert might need me to wait a little longer."

"Just promise me you will try talking to him soon."

Sean stood up and put his hand on her back as he walked her to the door. "I promise."

"Alright then, That's all I can ask for." Felicia smiled then he leaned in and kissed her cheek before she turned and left his office. Sean went and sat down again. Tiff had told him something similar over the weekend, maybe he does have to go talk to Robert. He's talked to Anna but not Robert. Maybe it was time to change that.

…

Tuesday evening found Robert and Anna snuggled together on the couch like many evening since he had moved in. His hands on her stomach, as she leaned against him. "Have you asked anyone yet?"

"I haven't decided who to ask."

"Robert, it's only a week and a half away. You need to ask someone."

"Have you asked anyone?" he countered, as he slowly stroked her stomach.

"Yes, I have. Felicia agreed to be my matron of honour this afternoon."

Robert leaned in and kissed her shoulder. "Don't worry I will have a best man."

"You better," Anna said with a little giggle.

Robert's head shot up, "What was that? Hey!" Anna just smiled and put her hand over his. Robert grinned as he felt a little thump against his palm. "That's my son kicking me!" Robert said, a big smile now on his face.

"I noticed I could feel them from the outside earlier today," Anna told him happily.

Robert laughed a little as the tapping on his hand continued. "That's our baby!"

"Yes, it is. Robert, I love that we get to share these moments this time." She nuzzled into his neck a little more, thinking about the last time she was pregnant. Thinking about how much she had missed having him there. "I cried into my pillow so many nights, wishing you were there. Longing for evenings like this. It's so wonderful having you here with me now."

Robert put her hand to her chin and turned her head slightly, "There's no need for tears this time." Then he leaned in and kissed her tenderly. "Anna, I'm excited to be here this time. I'm looking forward to more moments like this. More firsts."

"I know you are but sometimes I can't help but think about last time." He felt her shoulders slump as an old sadness washed over her. "Thinking back to how scared I was. I should have had my husband with me but they took that away." She couldn't help it, the tears started, "You wanted nothing to do with me. I already knew I was facing a lot because of my injuries, then to find out about Robin. All I wanted was to have you there. To have the only person that I need to help me. To assure me I was going to be alright, that everything was going to be alright. They took you away from me. Away from us."

His arms tightened around her, Robert knows that what she's feeling is a lot more than just thinking about what could have been. It's the fact they now know that's what should have been. He leaned in and kissed her neck. Anna tilted her head towards her. Nothing else needed to be said, not at the moment. They just needed to hold each other.

…

Thursday afternoon there was a knock at Robert's office door. He looked up to see Sean standing there waiting to be asked in. Robert tilted his head to the side just slightly, studying the man standing there for a moment then Robert waved his hand towards the chair on the other side of his desk. Sean stepped into the office then slowly moved towards the chair. Neither man saying anything, they just stared at each other, like two gladiators measuring up his opponent. Sean leaned on the back of the chair instead of sitting in it.

"I guess I should have come here before this."

Robert leaned back in his chair, folding his arm across his chest. Having no idea what to say to that.

"I know what I took away from you. From you and Anna." He paused putting his hand to his face. "I hate that I did that to you, I hate that I have caused you all so much pain."

"Alright, and?"

"Robert, I'm your friend. You're my best friend, damn it! I think of you as my brother. I hope there is a way for us to still be friends now. I also understand if that isn't in the cards." Robert just nodded at what he was saying. His face giving away nothing about what he might be thinking. "I guess that's all I wanted to tell you. I'll be there if you need me for anything." Sean stood up straight hoping for some kind of response. Robert still didn't say anything. "Yeah, well. I'll get out of your hair." Then Sean turned and left the office again.

Robert let out a long slow breath as he leaned forward and put his head in his hands. What the hell is he supposed to do? Both him and Anna are still hurting from what Sean did to them. Well, maybe, it's they are hurting again because of what they now know was done to them. He could even see that Sean is hurting because of his part in this. "Bloody Hell!" he forcefully stood up and threw his cup across the room as his chair banged into the shelf behind him. He put his hand to his head as he let out a frustrated breath not sure what he was expected to do. Not sure what he needed to do.

…

It was mid-morning, Friday, that Sean knocked on the adjoining door to Anna's office. He stepped through, "Hey, so you need help with this one?" Anna had called Sean earlier and left a message telling him about a case she needed his help with.

"Yeah, I'm getting nowhere and I have way too much on my mind and I need to bounce some ideas off of someone if I'm going to get anywhere."

"I told you I would be here to help."

"I know." Anna let out a quick breath, "He told me you came by his office yesterday."

"I don't think he's ready to talk to me."

"Maybe you should try again. Give it a couple of days." Anna looked over at her friend. Sean looked so sad, she knows he regrets what he did and that until Robert lets him back in he will continue to beat himself up over this. "He still hasn't asked anyone to be his best man, you know."

That caught Sean's attention but he didn't want to read too much into it either. "Oh!" he nodded then took a seat across from Anna. "Let's get to work on this case. I'm sure you want this taken care of before next Friday."

"I do. I also know we need to figure out how to fix our friendship. He won't say bad things about you, he only makes valid points about what we have to face, about what we know now."

"That I crossed you both, that I tore apart your marriage out of a sense of duty, as a way to punish you both."

"We will get past this," Anna assured him. She knew it wasn't going to be easy but she knew they would all be friends again. She also felt they all just need more time before that could happen.

…

Amy was sitting at the bar of Duke's with Meg. They were waiting for their blind dates, hoping that this time they might actually meet some handsome interesting men they would want to see again. As much as they both loved being nurses it really did make dating a little harder for them. "I hope these guys aren't as disappointing as the last ones Julie set us up with," Meg said with a little laugh.

"I know, your guy was at least cute, even if he was a total bore."

"Wasn't he?" Meg laughed. "I don't think it would have mattered what he was talking about. It still would have been boring."

"My guy hardly looked up all evening. I'm not sure I would recognize him if I saw him again."

"I think he had a moustache, didn't he?"

"Did he?" Amy joked, making them both laugh. "Oh, do you want to hear something that isn't boring?" Amy asked, leaning towards her friend a little more. "Anna is pregnant."

"What?"

Amy looked around, then grinned, "She had an appointment with Dr. Collins, a twenty-week ultrasound."

"No?" Meg said in disbelief.

"Oh, it gets better. She was there with Robert. He must be the father but Duke was still living with Anna then. I wonder how long they've been lovers."

"You're right he only moved out a little over three months ago," Meg realized. This was one of the perks of being Amy's friend, she always managed to have the best gossip and loved to share what she heard.

"I always thought there was more than friendship between them. They were way too close to just be friends. Look what happened when she first came here. Her and Robert carrying on all over town. No wonder Holly left him for a while."

"What?" Meg sat forwards, wanting to hear more about this.

"Oh, right that was before your time. Let me tell you." Amy then went on to tell her all about the mysterious dark-haired woman from Robert's past that infiltrated his life then turned out to have a child with.

While Duke had been going over some of the early recipes for the evening he hadn't wanted to overhear the little bits of conversation he had. Amy and Meg must not have realized he was standing right there with his back to them. Twenty weeks. Four and a half months. What, how can that be? Did that make sense? Did it add up right? Whose child is she carrying?